Pros:
* Big and hefty, matching up well with Grimlock and Sl(a/u)g in size and style.
* Strong cartoon-based design in either mode, within some deviation to account for an updated transformation.
* Articulation is good in robot mode, and adequate in dino mode.
* Updated transformation improves the overall nature of both modes, IMO.
* Dino mode looks very large and intimidating on its own, though not quite as big-looking placed next to other SS86 Dinobots.
* I like the look of the big fat launcher gun.

Cons & Nitpicks:
* Prone to loose joints around the waist/hips/knees, which may require attention to improve. Black plastic in the legs seems 'softer' than previous Dinobots, which might be a factor.
* Wing roots are flexible and may warp, and the wings can fall off. Making sure they are properly 'seated' on the joints mitigates that somewhat.
* Dino mode is kinda rough underneath, with a hollow area and the robot toes sticking down, which would seem obviously meant to fold up into the gap if the budget monster hadn't bit them. Sticking the gun underneath does nothing to help. Taken relative to the G1 Sludge toy, which had similar issues that were more in the way, it's not THAT bad.
* Dino shell/wings and tail are painted silver, which looks good IMO, but doesn't match the pearly light gray of the other two Dinobots, for those who are that kind of picky.
* Transformation is not difficult, but it is pretty involved and requires you to be very mindful of where everything is at any given time, and you need to massage the parts to get the dino mode to stay together correctly.
* Just my own take, but Sludge's robot face sculpt looks a bit 'flat' to me, in the way a knockoff toy might. My copy seems to have a ding on the crest of the helmet, like it was dropped before being boxed up, though that seems in character for the Dinobot.

Overall: I would say it's a worthy addition to your crew of Dinobots, but you'll probably need to put some work in, as the QC seems a bit below that of Slag, and significantly below Grimlock IMO. Still, it has the same appeal of the other SS86, being big, hefty, and largely cartoon-accurate in both modes, and both modes are equally appealing & fun. Sludge is probably my least favorite of the three, in part from some minor flaws and QC issues, but also my own bias that he has one of the least exciting dino or robot modes. If you are a Sludge fan, you may feel different.

 

Happy to report a ‘good’ Sludge. No floppy hips or knees, no droopy wings. Good joints all around. Really pleased overall with him, despite the unfortunate cavity in the underbronto and the lack of sword. My favorite of the dinos so far.

 

Same for me. Got mine from Amazon and other than him leaning back slightly due to just having such a huge and heavy backpack his knees are rock solid, the hips only have the slightest of gives (no different than any other transformer, honestly) and the wings are solid.

I'm in the mid west so not sure if it is just certain batches or not but I lucked out.

 

Ok yeah the wings are just, COMPLETELY loose on my copy. I tried to use a little slip of paper in the joint to shore it up but that made the transformation hink up, so i had to take it out. Does anyone have a solution? Heating up and adjusting the joint itself? Future?

 

Don't have mine yet but clear nail polish always worked for me.

 

Really like this guy, but holy crap what a loose mess straight out of the box.
Had to spend a few minutes fixing the knee and hips and checking screws for proper tension

 

A new wrinkle in the saga of “why must it be such a pain in the ass to paint these guys’ eyes red?” with Sludge here. Like Slug’s dino mode, you just need to mask, have steady hands, and hope. But now the robot head is actually glued together at the bottom, despite the screw. I ended up having to break the pegs. I’m sure it’ll be fine once it’s screwed back together.

Just Snarl to deal with now, since I won’t even bother changing the eyes of a cartoon deco Swoop, when I expect we’ll likely see a red one.

After painting and spending more time with this figure, I have to say it just doesn’t feel nice in my hands. I lucked out with the forward and backward hip ratchets, but everything else is loose. It’s just overall kinda unpleasant, especially after how solid the previous two dinobots felt. Hopefully if we do get a set of these guys in toy decos some of Sludge’s tolerances can be addressed.

 

Got mine from Amazon. Hips/knees seemed okay upon first inspection but after a couple transformations he cannot stand up straight without falling over backward.

I repaired the knees, and will work on the hip joints later on today.

This has been the most disappointing figure I've received in recent memory. For its price, it should feel a lot better in hand than this cheap floppy mess. Between this, and the figures yellowing on my shelf (or in package!), I'm cancelling all of my preorders and taking a break. Hopefully Hasbro will turn things around, but for now I'm out.

EDIT: I fixed the hips, which so far has saved this figure for me. His outward-hips are on pins that are still fairly loose, but everything else is extra-tight. Basically just stuffed q-tip stems in the ratchet tooth piece (as seen in some Youtube videos). A very easy fix with a small screw driver, highly recommended if you decide to keep this figure.

What really gets me is that it was clearly designed by the same person/team as Grimlock & Slug, yet it feels like a KO POS in comparison. They all share almost identical hip joints, so they're very easy to compare. It's embarassing. Not only does Sludge cost more, but he has less accessories as well (blue text, sorta/not sorta)  

The only reason I'm keeping this guy is because he fits in with the first two so well, and he looks very good in Dino mode. I have a soft spot for this character, as he's my oldest (and most worn out) G1 figure. If they end up releasing the other two, I'll bite (as the sucker I am) but the QC lately has forced me to cancel Motormaster and put everything else on hold. For me, it's unacceptable.

 

I think my only visual gripe though I do t have mine yet is I wish the neck was a bit longer in Dino mode so it was similar in height to gridlock like in the show, but it does look good as is.

 

This is legit the floppiest main line release I’ve ever gotten. Very disappointed with this one.

 

Ugh. Floppy right out of the box, and one of the "wings" doesn't want to solidly stay into the rubberish clips (that couldn't have been a pin in there, Hasbro?). For about $60, I'm really disappointed. Compared to Grimlock and Slag, this one is a just not on the same level for me...and the robot feet hanging to the ground in dino mode just kills me, as there's a large cavity for them RIGHT THERE. Some of the potential is there, but the final product is really not worth full price at all.

 

Sludge arrived today and I'm not pleased. His wings are fine, great even, but his hips and knees are floppy loose, it cannot stand at all. I tightened the screws and I'm trying a very healthy dose of future at several points, some were brushed on, others were injected. We'll see how it is, then if it's still bad I'll try Amazon roulette again and exchange it.

 

Has any 3rd parties made swords for these Dinobots yet?

 

Probably the worst qc I’ve ever experience in a transformer (my kingdom tracks was surprisingly sturdy). Floppy mess right out of the box.

Thankfully I did @ziltama ’s fix using some masking tape I had lying around and now he is a-okay and can actually stand up straight no issue.

After the fix, I can safely say he is an amazing update to the classic robotic brontosaurus figure of G1. He looks amazing with his fellow dinobots.

 

Yes. Each DNA upgrade kit for the individual SS86 Dinobots does come with their respective sword so Sludge’s (which is currently available for preorder) will have his

 

In robot mode, Sludge to me was always the generic Dinobot. Head in back, wings, big feet, mostly red and black. Each of the four had some variation in color or style that made them stand out, but Sludge mostly stood out by not standing out. Sadly that continues here, as the generic robot mode is given a very generic look by adhering to the cartoon look. Just remarkably plain. But... that's Sludge, I guess. Still need him to round out the team.

My Sludge seemed to do ok in the QC department. Hips a little loose which will keep him from holding a boot-to-the-head pose, but should hold any position you would expect a Dinobot to take. The wings are flappy, but hopefull a little polish will fix that. Otherwise... yeah. Big and bland. Only thing I found irksome is the lack of an elbow to fill in the gap when he bends his arm. That thing would snap if he tried any heavy lifting.

The transformation is more involved than it has to be, but I appreciate the creativity. Not quite as sharp as Slag, but more innovative than Grimlock. It's a little fidgety getting everything in order.

Dino mode is... good but feels unfinished. The tail looks weird. The exposed belly with the toes sticking out. Would have liked better leg and neck articulation.

Robot Mode: B
Transformation: B+
Dino Mode: B

Overall good but not great, which is about on par with Sludge.

 

Everything so far is aiming at the cartoons. Why do you think Swoop will be red?

 

We got three figures in a year and a half (Grimlock was found in January 2021). I doubt we wait two years to finish the set. I'm guessing we see Swoop by Christmas '23.

 

I meant that as "if any single Dinobot gets a toy-colored redeco it'll be Swoop since he's the one with the most differences." Of course Swoop would come out in cartoon colors first.

 

Ah!

I am still expecting an exclusive (Amazon? Target?) gift set in toy deco for $300.